This week on the podcast we're talking a look back at 2012, learning about sleeping well instead of just sleeping more, and finding out if cheap furniture is really worth your money. We're also answering your questions about buying cheap smartphones, sticking to your New Year's resolutions, and whether or not anyone still syncs.

How to Need Less Sleep by Getting Better Sleep Every Night: Many of us struggle to get enough sleep every night, but is the sleep we get any good? While it's important to get enough sleep, better sleep is a greater ally than more hours of sleep. We sat down with a sleep expert and a stack of studies to help you get a better night's sleep and need less in the process. Here's how.

Is Cheap Furniture Worth Buying?: Cheap furniture is easy to come by, but does it cost more in the long run? Alan takes a look at when you should buy inexpensive items and when you should invest your money in something solid that will last.

What's the cheapest way to get a smartphone? Buying past generation phones on contract or buying used off-contract. When looking at a plan, consider a third-party pay-as-you-go option or find a friend (or six) to go in on a mobile share plan with your carrier of choice.

Do you actually still sync your smartphone? Yes. We all do. Mostly for music. Because the internet is just not that reliable. (And some other reasons we mention on the podcast.)

How can I play podcasts from Downcast on my computer's speakers? Stream it using AirServer (OS X and Windows). If you prefer, XBMC and Plex (if you have a Plex Pass) can accept AirPlay streams as well.

How Do I Submit a Question?

Please keep your questions as brief as possible. This means about 3-5 sentences for emails and 30-60 seconds for calls and videos. Your questions can be specific, but broader questions are generally better because they'll apply to more people. For example, "how can I breathe new life into my old PDA?" is much better than "what can I do with an old HP iPAQ 210?" Either way, we look forward to hearing from you!